Looks impressive, but since posting I've had a look see. I don't think I'll even have room for the 4 cables inside the cube. I'll be better de-soldering the USB femail sockets from the board and extending.

Ok. Google wasn't my friend that much! Thanks for that guide, but it doesn't help me when I'm more of a novice than that. Sorry. But I am. I am planning on buying my first soldering iron since 1990 at the weekend. That's how out of date I am.

I have this:

I need to add about 3 inches of cable between the hub and the female ports, and I'm pretty sure I won't have the space to extend them using male - female leads.

OK, I see. Well, I don't know how good you are at soldering, but here's a few tips:

* Wait for the iron to heat up. Use some solder to melt a thin layer on the first 5-7 mm of the tip. More isn't a problem, you just waste some solder, no big deal.
* Heat the joints properly before applying solder. Molten solder will go towards the heat source!
* Don't move the joint until the solder has turned solid again. The joint should be hollow (unless you've applied too much solder )

* To de-solder, use a manual suction pump, made for this purpose. If the Maplins attendants are worth their salt, they can advise you which one would do the job and don't cost a fortune. Heat the joint, then suck away as much solder as you can. Sometimes it helps to add just a bit of fresh solder. Wiggle the component loose gently while heating the pins. But most of all: take your time!

I ordered a new soldering iron, some solder and some of that solder soaking up ribbony stuff (I couldn't stretch the budget as far as a pump), and some heat shrink cable wrap. I'll slice up an old USB lead for the wires.